Qantas Airbus A380s to get two inflight business class lounges

EXCLUSIVE | Qantas' revamp of its Airbus A380 will see the superjumbos fitted with two new business class lounges on the upper deck, located either side of the 'grand staircase' which leads down to first class.

The current A380 lounge will go from this always-questionable design...

Concept art for the current Qantas A380 business class lounge (note the fish tank in the bulkhead!)Marc Newson / Qantas

... to a more social cafe-inspired design with two tables fitted with soft LED lighting surrounded by comfortable padded benches.

This shows elements of an early conceptual sketch by Qantas designer David Caon, but obviously taking into account some real-world constraints such as a whopping great stairway off to the left.

On the other side of the stairway, where a small cabin crew office is currently tucked away, a second David Caon-designed nooks will arise. This will include a self-serve minibar for drinks and snacks plus a large video screen for watching inflight movies.

All 12 of the red-tailed superjumbos will roll into the hangar for a tip-to-tail refresh beginning in March 2019, with the entire fleet completed by the end of 2020.

In addition to the two new lounges, Qantas will rip out the A380's decade-old business class and premium economy seats and replace them with the latest business class and premium economy seats from the Boeing 787.

The first class suites will be refreshed rather than replaced, including the fitting of "contoured cushioning" plus a larger HD video display to replace the current 17 inch panel.

I've used the current A380 lounge a few times, especially when travelling with colleagues or mates, but it's definitely not nearly as passenger-friendly as these new spaces – I expect the new lounges will see much more use.

I use it a little bit; just somewhere to sit and stretch. The new added space involves them moving the crew's office desk elsewhere and creating a better space. I have seen people have meetings in the current space so having two tables works well if there are groups that might need to meet, or just chat. Next they will have a booking sheet for it.

It would have been nice to see Qantas Zig against everyone else’s Bar Zag. Why not create a point of difference by putting in a Yoga / Pilates space - ie some kind of exercise area that doesn’t result in sweat stink!

To Alex’s point, if you don’t do the bar properly then you only suffer by comparison.

It's not Qantas' fault but this area has no windows so will always feel a bit forgotten. THis is why most airlines now use the upstairs for First Class so this forward section can be devoted to oversize toilets/bathrooms.

Suspect it also comes down to ease/cost of reconfiguration - would think moving bathrooms isn't cheap.

I actually think it's a decent space for a lounge and will be much bigger in this new config. Once airborne you don't really need windows (although guess they could have tried virtual windows like EK has in its new centre suites)

There is presently one lounge in the nose of the A380 to the right of the staircase from business class down to first. There will now be two lounges, one each on either side of the staircase. How's your maths?

If I have one bedroom in my apartment and convert a sunroom into another bedroom, or wall up the patio and make this into a bedroom, would you say I still have just one bedroom? No, I would have two bedrooms. Two different spaces. It doesn't matter that they have the same function, it matters that they are physically different spaces.

My experience on A380s with a similar lounge configuration - such as Asiana - find the space a little dark and oppressive and rarely used. Maybe Qantas has some solution but it’s a tough ask. The only airline to turn the odd space into something spectacular is Etihad by using it for The Apartment. That said, it was Etihad’s last hurrah.

That's probably because the Emirates bar is so much bigger and more open because it's in a completely different part of the A380, it's down the back where there is plenty of room, while Qantas is trying to make best use of two small areas which are an unavoidable result of A380's design. In other words, apples and oranges.

This is typical Qantas not looking far enough ahead and being too conservative. If travelling alone I would rather stay in my seat than almost certainly be facing a stranger. Qantas underperformed 10 years ago in the business seat offering for the A380 and are doing so again with this cafe/meeting booth idea. I would rather stretch my legs and prop up a bar any day. EK really have it sorted if you're travelling alone or with someone, as you can use the bar leaners at each side, stand at the bar or sit one of two couches. The drinks offering is impressive, good quality snacks are available and the crew friendly if you're feeling chatty.

Business people can have their meetings in the lounge before take off (I've never seen anyone use the two business lounges in the Sydney First Class lounge, since it opened) or on a couch at the bar, or sit together and put the screen down.

Pilates and exercise areas be damned. Thinking outside the square, the current lounge could easily be converted into a "Residence" style super first class, or, have three or four zero gravity massage chairs - you could book a 20 - 30 minute slot as you do the shower in EK First Class.

Or how about "book a table" so couples or more could have their meal together. There must be room for say, 8 x two seater tables, two of which could be pushed together for foursomes. Yes, I know, it would take some planning and for safety in the seat and table design, but it's doable. Two sittings per meal - sounds like something I would enjoy if I was travelling with someone.

Come on Qantas - scratch your head for a lot longer before announcing something this dull and come up with something more creative and appealing. Something that sets you apart.

So, thanks, but no thanks, for what is essentially a sofa and a small table with a fridge and a large screen (who gets to pick what's showing?). It just doesn't push any buttons for me at all.

Seriously? Why would or should you want to leave your super expensive seat/bed/dining area with inaminute personal service to go and use this space? If any airline really wanted to stand ahead from the rest....put a stand up bar area in ECONOMY.... the that's where the leg stretch is needed! Or like train carriages....have a central area for ALL to go for a bit of a stand and 'have a chat'....

Current ‘retreats’ on the A380 feel like a dentists’ waiting room and barely worth the walk to stretch one’s legs. Any improvement will be worthwhile, even better with a FA serving drinks with a smile?